Andy Roddick predicts who has the edge in Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek Italian Open final

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Andy Roddick previewed the WTA Italian Open final and gave Iga Swiatek the edge over Aryna Sabalenka.

Two weeks on from their outstanding Madrid Open final tennis’ two top-ranked players will do battle in Rome.

Swiatek is aiming for her third title at the Foro Italico and she reached the final by defeating Coco Gauff for ninth time in straight sets.

In another Madrid rematch, Sabalenka took on the dangerous and in-form Danielle Collins and she maintained her unbeaten record against the World Number 15.

Ahead of the 11th contest between Swiatek and Sabalenka, Roddick predicted who will come out on top.

Andy Roddick predicts Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka Italian Open final result

Roddick appeared on Tennis Channel where he gave his thoughts on arguably the most compelling matchup in women’s tennis at present.

While he acknowledged Sabalenka’s blistering run to the final, he is struggling to bet against the top seed on her favourite surface.

“We are starting to get a little spoiled in the best possible way,” Roddick said. “The Madrid showdown there was nothing between them, I know Iga won but that’s where Sabalenka really showed the best tennis of that week.

“There’s no question on Iga’s form on clay right now but I think Sabalenka’s playing better in the leadup right now.

“I think Sabalenka’s form, she’s a lot more confident going into this one than Madrid where she was trying to find something early in the event and she had found it by the end and it continued here in Rome. But I’m not going to pick against Iga on clay, I’m just not going to do it.”

What is Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka’s head-to-head record?

Swiatek and Sabalenka have played one another 10 times in their careers so far.

The Pole has won seven of those encounters and has claimed the last two matches in Madrid and the 2023 WTA Finals. She is on an 11-match win streak on clay while the Belarusian has won 10 of her 11 matches.

By reaching the final, Swiatek became just the third player to reach multiple Italian Open finals as the World Number One after Monica Seles and Serena Williams since the ranking system began in 1975.

Should she claim victory in Rome once again, she will be on course to become just the second player since Williams to win the Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros titles all in the same season.